Big names missing as Australia announce squad for limited overs series against Pakistan

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the squad for the limited-overs series against Pakistan. Some big names have been rested for the white-ball games. The tour of Pakistan will start with the three-match Test series starting from March 4 in Rawalpindi. For Tests, the board had named a full-strength squad of 18 members. The series will end on March 25 in Lahore with the second game to be played in Karachi.

The limited-overs matches will start with three-match ODI series and will end with a solitary T20I. The selectors have decided to rest some players, who will play the Tests. The players who will rest during the series are Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and David Warner. The pacers will be replaced by Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, and Nathan Ellis.

Players such as Cameron Green and Travis Head will get the opportunity to resume their white-ball careers. Green has played only one ODI and Head last played an ODI way back in 2018. Josh Inglis or Alex Carey might take the glove in the T20I with Matthew Wade not included in the team. Meanwhile, national selector George Bailey said that the selection committee has picked a versatile squad.

"We have picked a talented and versatile squad with a number of challenges to juggle, including the tour structure of predominantly 50-over games, management of several multi format players in the medium to long term; and our need to build experience and depth in preparation for two short form World Cups within the next 18 months," Bailey said.

Australia limited-overs Squad Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa